arXiv · 2508.20302
Reducing Shortcut and Hopset Constructions to Shallow Graphs
Abstract
We introduce a blackbox framework that simplifies all known parallel algorithms with near-linear work for single-source reachability and shortest paths in directed graphs. Specifically, existing reachability algorithms rely on constructing shortcuts; our blackbox allows these algorithms that construct shortcuts with hopbound $h$ to assume the input graph $G$ is ``shallow'', meaning if vertex $s$ can reach vertex $t$, it can do so in approximately $h$ hops. This assumption significantly simplifies shortcut construction [Fin18, JLS19], resulting in simpler parallel reachability algorithms. Furthermore, our blackbox extends naturally to simplify parallel algorithms for constructing hopsets and, consequently, for computing shortest paths [CFR20 , CF23 , RHM+23 ].
Explore related subjects
Keep this discovery
Bernhard Haeupler, Yonggang Jiang, Thatchaphol Saranurak. 2025-08-27. Reducing Shortcut and Hopset Constructions to Shallow Graphs. https://arxiv.org/abs/2508.20302
Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.